February 26, 2021

Volume XCVIII, Number 2

February 26, 2021

Worcester, Massachusetts

Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation Center Opening Date Set student wellness on campus through a historic donation summing over $40 million. The undertaking of the Jo is something very personal to Chouinard-Luth herself, after whom

McFarland Center Explores How Deaf Catholics Are Shaping the Contemporary Church Jocelyn Buggy ‘22 News Editor On Wednesday, February 24th, the McFarland Center hosted a virtual conversation about how Deaf Catholics are continuing to shape the global Church through language, community, and culture. The event was part of the Center’s “Catholics & Cultures” initiative, which aims to draw attention to the diversity and cultures of the contemporary Church. The Zoom call featured Lana Portolano, Professor of Rhetoric at Towson University, Maryland, and author of the recently published newly published Be Opened: The Catholic Church and

Deaf Culture. Portolano was joined

by College of the Holy Cross Deaf

News.......................1 Opinions.................4 Features..................7 Eggplant.................10 Sports.....................11

To learn more about the facility’s opening, The Spire met with the College’s newly appointed Director of Campus Recreation, Jamie Shannon. Shannon, who has worked in

opportunities for fitness associated with the facility’s opening will augment the on-campus living experiSince arriving at campus this past ence at the College for everyone. She January, students have become only contends that, “The Jo will improve minutely familiar with the overall well-being on the College’s Center for campus by providing stuRecreation and Wellness, dents a place to focus on the Jo. The newly erected their physical and mental facility, which has been health, the value of which closed thus far in the sehas become abundantly mester for recreational clear during the challenguse, is the home for “ ing months of the pan. . . all club and intrademic”. mural sports, as well as This semester, the folrecreation, fitness, and lowing services will be wellness programming granted to students at for students, faculty, the Jo: personal exercise and staff” (College of studios, weight-training the Holy Cross). While and cardio equipment, students have not yet and access to the indoor gained entry to the faciltrack. Of the machinery ity’s athletic spaces and housed in the facility, stuhave been limited excludents will have permissively to its gymnasiumsion to use treadmills, elturned-testing-center, lipticals, stationary bikes, this will all change very Graphic by Hui Li ‘21 stairmasters, and rowsoon. The College recenting machines. StrengthThe highly anticipated recreation center, pictured above, is just over two weeks from opening ly announced that the building equipment such complex will open to the as barbells and dumbbells public on March 15th for restricted the facility is named. As a devout campus recreation for the duration of will also be provided and ready for personal use. proponent of holistic wellness and her professional career, is passionate use. For those interested in completWhile opening on a delayed nutrition, Chouinard-Luth sees the about advancing student engagement ing bodyweight workouts, reservable schedule, the Jo would not be pos- Jo as an opportunity to extend the and exercise on campus and looks spaces in the complex’s multipurpose sible at all if not for the generosity of realm of fitness on campus to include forward to representing the College’s studios will be available, as will the its benefactors, John Luth and wife all students, not a select few. In her wellness endeavors. With regards indoor track. The track will be desigJoanne Chouinard-Luth. The couple, view, the new facility will ensure that to the opening of the Jo, Shannon nated for walking only when testing who also funded the construction of “ . . . everyone has the same sense of largely supports increasing student takes place and will be expanded to the College’s Luth Athletic Complex, participation and possibility” (Holy accessibility to workout and train- include walking, jogging, or running has supported the improvement of Cross Magazine, 2019). ing spaces and maintains that the CONTINUED ON PG. 2 Sarah Carter ‘24 News Editor

Inside The Spire

Studies Professor Stephanie Clark as well as Joseph Bruce, S.J., the first

deaf Jesuit priest and archivist with the Holy Cross Deaf Catholic Archives. The event was moderated

by Thomas M. Landy, Director of the McFarland Center. ASL and voice interpretation was provided

by Donald Gibbons and Ingrid Nevar.

Portolano opened the conversation by providing a history of the intersection between Deaf culture and Catholicism. Through extensive research for her book Be Opened, Portolano learned about the contributions of many deaf and hearing priests, laypeople, and pastoral workers. She worked with Joseph Bruce during this process in order to think through the larger historical narrative of Deaf Catholic culture and factCONTINUED ON PG. 3

Graphic by Hui Li ‘21

Holy Cross Chaplain Set to Leave for New Position Page 3

Housing’s Attitude Toward Unhealthy Roomate Situations Page 4 The Loss of Democracy Page 6

RA Maggie Hannick on Being Creative in Unprecedented Times Page 9

Class of 2021 Convocation in a Nutshell Page 10

2

The Spire

NEWS

February 26, 2021

Common Requirement Steering Committee Seeks Feedback Devyn Forcina ‘22 News Editor The Common Requirement Steering Committee is holding five campus-wide listening sessions over the course of late February and early March. The goals of these sessions are to elicit feedback on the current system of common requirements and to discuss three alternative models. Ultimately, the Committee is hoping to understand what features can be combined to make the best model.

If you are interested in attending, upcoming sessions will be held on Friday, February 26 from 12-1 pm, Tuesday, March 2 from 5-6

Graphic by Hui Li ‘21

pm, and Thursday, March 4 from 12-1 pm. It will be helpful to review the materials that the committee has emailed. You may also want to consider what you like about the three models, and what you do not like about them that could still be improved.

All three models (A, B, and C) consist of 11 classes that achieve a curriculum with breadth, competencies, and responsible citizenship.

Most of the differences between the models are concerned with tracking different competencies, like quantitative reasoning, writing, or oral communication. The models also account for Montserrat, which supports the development of such

competencies and allows for experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.

There are ultimately still questions of structure, and how these models could eventually be implemented, with standards, into a Holy Cross curriculum. As co-chair of the Common Requirement Steering Committee, Professor Scott Malia, said at the first listening session: “Our vision is that this should be an ongoing process.” If you would like to be involved in the process, consider attending a listening session and sharing your thoughts.

Office of Admissions Conducting Online Operations Davey Sullivan ’22 News Editor The Holy Cross Office of Admissions has been conducting online tours and information sessions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though access to campus is now allowed under Yellow Alert, admissions operations continue to happen remotely, with both tour guides and admissions counselors working remotely. Conducting business online has not stopped Holy Cross Admissions, however.

Through all of this, Holy Cross Admissions is currently admitting students to the Class of 2025. As of now, Early Decision Decisions have been released. Early Decision I applications were due in November, and Early Decision II in January.

As of writing, both of these groups of students have received decisions, with regular decisions coming soon.

Before the pandemic, students were invited to campus for a tour, an interview, or an information ses“Jo” CONT. FROM PG. 1 when testing is closed. In the facility, students will not have access to the gymnasium (which will continue to act as the site for on-campus testing), the spin room, equipment checkout services (intended for renting yoga mats and blocks and other miscellaneous equipment), the locker room and contiguous shower room, and common area seating that cannot be modified to meet social distancing require-

Graphic by Hui Li ‘21

sion. Currently, the Office of Admissions has been using Zoom to conduct all interactions with prospective students. Campus tours are currently being given via the online software, YouVisit. The software provides an interactive experience with panoramic views around campus, from Linden Lane to residence halls. The tours are guided by trained Holy Cross students eager to show off their school even in the

most unusual of times.

Michaela Faris ‘22, a junior tour guide for the Office of Admissions, spoke to the Spire about her experience of welcoming students even during the pandemic. She says, “I think the office of admissions has done a great job thus far dealing with COVID-19. It is unfortunate that students are not able to visit our beautiful campus but I think the YouVisit tour is a great alterna-

tive. Additionally, the office of admissions offers virtual tours every Tuesday and Thursday and online Information Sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday so students are always able to stay engaged with Holy Cross. They also still offer interviews via Zoom.

While I am sure it has been challenging for these high school juniors and seniors, I feel Holy Cross has done a good job at keeping

ments.

one hour for a maximum time of once a day. Students can schedule their reservations up to two days in advance and will soon be able to use an app (more information to be released soon) to select available dates and times.

In order to provide for the successful and continued operation of the facility, students must subscribe to a number of safety and social distancing protocols while working out. Among those require-

ments, students must maintain fourteen feet of distance between themselves and any neighboring guests in the facility and use only those machines which are marked for use. Students should be cognizant that some machines will not be available for use due to the indicated physical distancing requirements. Signage will also be posted to inform students about capacity limits and sanitizing procedures post-machine use. Students who do

Students wishing to use the Jo should note that the facility will operate on a reservation-based system. For students, this means that appointments (which can be made online) are compulsory for admission to the facility’s workout spaces. Reservable spaces will include the indoor track, the multipurpose studios, and the cardiostrength areas, which students can rent for personal use for periods of

The Spire student newspaper College of the Holy Cross Published weekly since 1925

their prospective students involved and informed.”

The Holy Cross Office of Admissions is also planning to begin in-person tours in the near future.

While plans for this are not yet complete, Faris commented to the Spire, “At the moment the office of admissions are planning to give inperson tours. An individual admitted student for the Class of 2025 and their immediate family would be able to sign up for a tour led by a single tour guide. They hope to have these tours take place from March 22-31 and from April 1230. They plan to space out the tours by 15 minutes so that there would not be overlap between tours. Additionally, the plan is to have a majority of the tour outside with the possibility of stopping inside a few buildings such as the Chapel, Dinand, and Science Complex. I am super excited and I hope I can give an in-person tour in the near future. I think it is really important for students to be able to visit the College before making their final decisions.” not heed the aforementioned protocols will be asked by staff to leave.

These measures, while exhaustive to a certain extent, are necessary for “ . . . creating a safe and enjoyable culture at the Jo” this semester, says Shannon; a culture that much of the student body will benefit from.

The Spire is a non-profit, non-partisan student publication of the College of the Holy Cross.

The Spire is distributed free of charge to all students, faculty, staff, and employees of the institution.

Kelly Gallagher, Matthew Anderson Editors-in-Chief Ethan Bachand, Jocelyn Buggy, Davey Sullivan, Devyn Forcina, Sarah Carter News Editors Maggie Connolly, Julia Maher, Grace Manning, Joseph Barbieri, Catherine Yaskira Opinions Editors Grace Bromage, Bridget Flaherty, Nicole Letendre, Stacey Kaliabakos, Caroline Wallace Features Editors Hannah Johnson, Mario Micallef, Michael Vail, Julianna Mariani Eggplant Editors Mike O’Brien, Jimmy Casey Sports Editors Hope Goodman, Kennedy Corrado, Brigie English, Anna Morris, Sarah O’Rourke, Sophia Carmenati Copy Editors Hui Li, Valentina Moran, Claudia Hajjer, Kate Nedorostek Visuals Bianca Miccolis, Emma Cerrato, Sydney Santosuosso Web Editors Caroline Manganaro, Cassie Smith Social Media Managers Professor Steve Vineberg Faculty Advisor Dean Brenda Hounsell Sullivan, Sandra Burke Staff Advisors

Please address correspondence to: The Spire P.O. Box 32A College of the Holy Cross 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610-2395

The Spire welcomes letters and op-eds from its readers. Please include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. No submissions will be printed anonymously. All submissions may be edited for content, and must be received by the Sunday prior to publication. The Spire reserves the right not to publish any letter or content deemed objectionable or which does Email: spire@g.holycross.edu not meet the editorial standards of the newspaper. Letters Website: hcspire.com may be mailed, e-mailed, or brought to The Spire office in Hogan 235.

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The opinions expressed within the newspaper are not necessarily those of the College of the Holy Cross. This newspaper is printed by Community Newspaper Company. Reproduction of any part of this paper is by permission of The Spire only.

The Spire

NEWS

February 26, 2021

3

Fr. Keith Maczkiewicz S.J. Takes New Position at Fairfield University Ethan Bachand ‘22 Chief News Editor

Next year, Fr. Keith Maczkiewicz S.J. will be leaving the College of the Holy Cross for a position at Fairfield University. Fr. Mac, as he is known around campus, will become Fairfield’s next Director of Campus Ministry and University Chaplain. This comes after serving Holy Cross at two different points in time, once during his regency from 2013-2015 and returning as a priest in 2018. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the interview was conducted over email.

In the conversation, Fr. Mac reflected on how his time at Holy Cross has changed him, saying “Holy Cross has been my first stop after ordination and I think I learned much of how to be a priest here. My colleagues, the students, staff and faculty all have helped to form me into a better minister.

Having sat with many people over the course of five years here, I have seen how God is at work in their lives, and so HC has broadened my understanding of who God is and how we humans relate to God.” Besides serving as a chaplain on multiple spiritual retreats, Fr.

Mac said he will remember services on Mount St. James fondly.

As he wrote, “Celebrating Mass in the College chapels will be an especially memorable experience that I will hold on to when I leave the College. The opportunity to gather with students each Sunday and many weeknights, and to remember the many who have been missing from campus during this last year, has been very important to me, especially in the first few years

of my priesthood.”

While some may view a departure from the College as sad, Fr. Mac sees his move as fulfilling his duties. In the interview, Fr. Mac wrote, “Us Jesuits are always available for mission, and live our lives ready to be called upon to preach the gospel and minister in a new place should a need arise. When I was approached by Fairfield University late last fall and made available by my provincial superior, I

was open to the possibility and prayed about it. I participated in some interviews, drove down to Connecticut (just for a day!) to take a walking tour of the changed campus, and was offered the position in January.”

Despite leaving the College, Fr. Mac is looking forward to returning to his alma mater and being closer to his hometown. In his correspondence with The Spire, Fr. Mac wrote, “…the opportunity to

“MCFAR.” CONT. FROM PG.1 check archival research. Portolano made a point to distinguish between the deaf and the “culturally Deaf,” meaning people who use ASL as their primary language.

Professor Clark spoke to this point about Deaf culture, framing the culture itself as a manifestation of the shift from a medical model of disability to a social model. She said that her Deaf parents learned their faith through social, signed interactions at the Boston School for the Deaf. Bruce affirmed the social significance of Deaf Catho-

lic culture and discussed the issue of access for Deaf Catholics looking to worship. He said that the extent of Deaf people’s ability to participate in mass and certain sacraments is limited by the fact that many cannot access services in their own language.

When asked what she hoped that attendees would take away from the Wednesday event, Professor Portolano said: “I hope attendees are excited to learn that there are churches in cities all over the United States that have Mass in sign language, and even more that

have small communities of Deaf people who will come to church every week, so long as they know a church has Mass with a sign language interpreter. Not only that, but many of these small communities of Deaf people are connected to a long history of Deaf culture in the Church that has been passed on from generation to generation, in schools, in families, and in places of worship. However, these services are often in danger of losing support from their diocese, because they are small groups.”

Portolano continued: “It’s too

easy for the Church to overlook these people’s needs for worship in their own language when they tend to stay to themselves and are not as visible in the public eye. But it’s understandable: Deaf people prefer to be around people who communicate with them in a visual language they can understand face-to-face. Deaf people can’t learn to hear. They’re deaf. Hearing aids don’t help in large groups like at Mass or church socials. So, hearing Christians are specifically called to reach out and walk with Deaf people. Jesus showed us that

Photo courtesy of the College of the Holy Cross

go back to a campus that formed me, and that is certainly the root of my Jesuit vocation, is something that I am looking forward to. I am from Long Island, NY and being closer to my family -especially after this year of pandemic when my parents have reached retirement age- is also part of the draw for me.”

When asked what lessons from Holy Cross he would carry to Fairfield University, Fr. Mac expressed a desire to bring the liberal arts culture to his new position. In his email, Fr. Mac wrote “Fairfield is a completely different type of institution than Holy Cross. Fairfield is a comprehensive university with many pre-professional programs, while HC is a top-tier liberal arts college. As I move from one model of education to the other, I want to hold on to the liberal arts focus, a major staple of Jesuit colleges and universities since we began founding colleges during the time of Ignatius. I think I’m also going to bring with me lessons I learned during the pandemic and the need we have all had for meaningful interaction and encounters.”

by example in the Gospel of Mark.

It can really broaden your world to learn about ASL and Deaf culture, and befriending people in these small communities helps pull them into the heart of the Church from the margins. That’s how we all share with them in the graces of a connected body of believers in Christ. Hearing Catholics can grow so much and change for the better by really encountering and loving a small, marginalized group like Deaf culture in the Church.”

Student Government Association Senate Segment THIS WEEK IN THE SGA SENATE:

Legislation S-1599 Judicial Council and Senate Checks and Balances: This bill provides a framework for the J-Council to avoid overstepping bounds by creating an appeal process for Senate related appeals.

S-1600 Defining Senate Positions: This bill specifies the structure of the senate, updates responsibilities of senate leadership, and outlining four standing committees in the senate, including plans to expand the Student Outreach Committee.

S-1601 Senate Committee Restructuring: This bill details specific changes to each standing committee, revealing the expansions to the Student Outreach Committee implied in S-1600 (absorption of Academic Affairs, leadership in the committee, etc.)

S-1602 Updating Clerkship Program: Student Outreach Clerks added to assist Chair and Vice-Chair of Student Outreach Committee.

Speaker Update

Connor McNerney ‘22, Professor Scott Malia, and Professor Josep Alba-Salas from the Steering Committee discussed three separate models regarding the new proposed common area requirements and surveyed the Senators on eight questions regarding them. Senate is also establishing a Class-Council-Class Senator Liaison that will meet throughout the semester.

Committee Updates

Public Affairs is starting up Spot-a-Senator soon to drive awareness of Senators on and off-campus. Videos of Senators sharing information on recently passed bills will also be posted. The RSO Lobbying Association met tonight, and re-recognition paperwork is due March 22nd. The Senate Budget Committee passed the Spring ‘21 Budget and is actively reviewing requests from clubs and activities.

2/21/2021 Minutes

Join us for our next meeting on 2/21 at 8 pm EST on Zoom!

Check back weekly for more Senate-specific updates and initiatives to make student life easier on the Hill. CONTACT US: www.facebook.com/HCSenate Instagram: @sga_hcsenate sgasenate@g.holycross.edu

4 The Spire

Opinions

OPINIONS

February 26, 2021

See What Other Students Are Thinking Around Campus...

Housing’s Attitude Toward Unhealthy Roommate Situations Julia Maher ‘23 Opinions Editor

There seems to be an issue with unhealthy roommate situations in colleges, and Holy Cross is no exception. Many people have suffered from horrible roommate experiences, and some can even be classified as bullying. Although the victims suffer from severe emotional pain, the Office of Residence Life and Housing does not proactively advocate for and support them in their journey toward seeking refuge.

First, the Office of Residence Life and Housing often does not believe students who are suffering from an unhealthy roommate situation. They often rely on victimblaming instead of actively caring for the students and demonstrating an effort to remove them from a dangerous situation. Due to their lack of urgency, students’ safety and mental health suffer drastically.

Additionally, the Counseling Center is very backlogged right now, which means that the victims do not have anywhere to turn.

Second, they rely on RAs to handle these situations, which should actually be solved by mental health

professionals. RAs are not welltrained to deal with most roommate issues because they only have minimal training before school

of their roommate.

Third, once Housing actually takes the situation seriously, which often takes weeks or even months,

bully and empowers them to target the next victim. Housing often has misplaced empathy for the bully instead of the victim. Since the

Photo by Kelly Gallagher ‘22 starts, and they do not have any professional knowledge of mental health or mediation skills. Often, roommate mediation does not even work, especially if the perpetrator is unwilling to compromise their behavior for the safety and wellbeing

the victims are forced to move by themselves to their new dorm with no help in moving their belongings, in order to remove themselves from the unhealthy situation. Generally, they do not require the perpetrator to relocate, which glorifies the

new one. It is a vicious cycle.

Holy Cross needs serious preventative housing reform to minimize unhealthy roommate situations. If students bully their roommates and put them at danger, then they should be punished by having to move into a single room, and they should be required to have a psychological evaluation by the Counseling Center to find out what kind of therapy they need to socially adjust to college better.

This will prove effective and will prevent further incidents from escalating. Housing, it is absolutely crucial that you address these behavioral and safety issues and punish the perpetrators instead of the victims. If you are letting the perpetrators off easy, what message are you sending to them, and how does that reflect the mission of Holy Cross and also your specific mission statement?

perpetrator is never reprimanded and the victim is punished instead, the perpetrator will not change their behaviors and will start bullying their next victim, who probably had moved out of another unhealthy situation only to enter a

Stan Down: Why We Have to Stop Idolizing Our Politicians

Maggie Connolly ‘21 Chief Opinions Editor

Several weeks ago, New York Attorney General Letitia James reported that Governor Andrew Cuomo underreported Covid-19 cases in nursing homes. Cuomo has been placed on a pedestal from the beginning of the pandemic, regulating what was initially known as the ‘epicenter’ of the virus last March.

Cuomo released a book over the summer recounting his experience as a leader during the time.

There have been plenty of news stories and analyses of Cuomo’s failure to report almost fifty percent of the cases from those nursing homes, but there is another problem at large here: our instinct to idolize politicians. It prevents us from seeing their faults and understanding them as common people we have elected to lead.

Countless memes, tweets and posts gave Cuomo recognition and admiration from Americans across the country. He was given praise for leading better than the president, and he and his brother Chris became somewhat of a pair of celebrity brothers last spring.

Amidst many Americans reveling in Cuomo’s success, he was

Photo courtesy of Time.com

We love to “stan” our favorite politicians, but we cannot let internet culture overshadow their policies. hiding a mistake that would undercut much of his success. When we glorify the role of politicians in this country, we lose sight of their mistakes and missteps.

‘Stanning’ politicians is a dangerous move in politics, and it happens on both sides of the aisle.

It leads constituents to be more worried about the relatability, likability and meme-ability of a Congressperson or even the President of the United States. It happened with Donald Trump in a way, but it happens in a different way on the left.

Young people especially rallied around Joe Biden and Ka-

mala Harris, and rightfully so. They were our path to removing Donald Trump from the White House, but there was a cult of personality surrounding them that moved beyond just the typical trope of a candidate’s ‘likability.’ It was a blind reverence of their actions or posts and loving what they stood for as opposed to who they were as politicians.

Kamala Harris’s “I’m speaking” in the Vice-Presidential debate is a perfect example of a moment that became a ‘stan’ moment.

Her words were made into Tik Tok sounds remixed with Megan Thee

Stallion songs. Countless Tik Toks were made calling her ‘drippy’ for wearing Timberlands and low-top Chuck Taylors. Kamala Harris was getting stanned for her outfits, and voters were ignoring her blemished record on criminal justice as the Attorney General of California.

Donald Trump’s followers do not take to social media to make endearing photo edits of him in the same way progressives did with Bernie Sanders’ mitten moment at the inauguration. His MAGA supporters wear red hats and chant his name in a cult-like fashion; needless to say, their stanning looks a

bit different. There are a few other characters on the right that have been adopted into true stan culture, take Mitt Romney for example. He gives us the bare minimum – voting to impeach Trump, and his actions are applauded as if he moved mountains for the progressive movement. Yeah, it was nice to see him at a Black Lives Matter protest, but those views of understanding basic human rights should also be translating into his policy.

Of course, we want to love our leaders. We want to see AOC’s red-lip routine on Vogue’s Instagram, but we also want her to fight to pass $15 minimum wage.

We cannot just support a politician because of a moment they had in an interview or a viral scene from the campaign trail, like Bernie’s bird moment in 2016. The way to enact actual change is by holding your ‘faves’ accountable for their past and their present politics. In doing so, we will become more sound in our own political beliefs and discover who can truly make the change we need where we need it. If our generation can engage as hard as we stan, the American political climate has a lot headed its way.

The Spire

OPINIONS

February 26, 2021

5

Rush Limbaugh’s Legacy Catherine Yaskira ‘24 Opinions Editor Rush Limbaugh died on February 17th. Some people, like Donald Trump, have mourned him: he gave a touching tribute to Fox News in honor of Rush in which he said, “Well, Rush thought we won, and so do I, by the way” and then continued to complain about the “stolen election” for about 10 minutes with few mentions of his dear friend. Others have shown little remorse for his death and have received criticism for it. In the wake of his death, I listened to video clips, read news articles, and excerpts of books to understand who Rush Limbaugh was. After celebrities die, it is important to take their careers into account, look at their lives, and learn from them. The criticisms of Rush Limbaugh are real and should be discussed. Just because a person has died does not mean that they are free from accountability for the harm they have caused in their life. Rather than let my criticism of Rush Limbaugh come off as celebrating his death, I will let Rush do most of the talking. I have compiled some quotes that I feel illustrate the harm he has caused in the most objective way possible; by using his own words. This is by no means an extensive list. I did not feel comfortable including some of his quotes; for example, I excluded slurs, which eliminated many of his worst quotes. As a warning, there is discussion of sexual assault, racism, and homophobia.

gressional hearing. This debate was about whether employers should be required to fully cover contraception even if they have religious objections. Only men testified. She then was allowed to speak at an unofficial hearing held by Democrats, and afterward, Limbaugh had the following to say: “What does it say about the college co-ed Susan [sic] Fluke who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex. What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute.” “She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex. If we’re going to have to pay for this, then we want something in return, Ms. Fluke, and that would be the videos of all this sex posted online so we can see what we are getting for our money.”

--- Sandra Fluke, a third-year Georgetown Law Student, had been prevented from testifying by a Republican congressman at a con-

--- “How many of you guys, in your own experience with women, have learned that ‘no’ means ‘yes’ if you know how to spot it?”

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

--- Limbaugh once played a video from a rape trial, laughing and saying, “I’m trying not to laugh,” as a woman detailed her rape.

--- “Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women access to the mainstream of society.”

--- “When a gay person turns his back on you, it is anything but an insult; it’s an invitation.”

--- Limbaugh had an “AIDS update” in which he mocked gay people dying from AIDS and played Dionne Warwick’s “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” or “Back in the Saddle Again” by Gene Autry.

--- “Look, let me put it to you this way. The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”

--- “I think it’s time to get rid of this whole National Basketball

The “New” Year Julianna Mariani ‘24 Visiting Eggplant Editor We are two full months into 2021, and I am still convinced it is 2020. Leading up to the New Year, we were all so ecstatic and had somehow convinced ourselves that as soon as the clock struck midnight, instead of losing a glass slipper, our lives would immediately be better. We fantasized about COVID checking out as the ball dropped and returning to life pre-March 13. As unrealistic as it was, I convinced myself that all I had to do was make it to January 1 and everything would miraculously be that much better. I blame TikTok for this, actually. Video after video on my “for you page” was full of 2021 dreams: trashing our masks and hugging everyone as far as the eye could see. There are a lot of fantasies about “the day the pandemic ends” but the reality is, it wasn’t January 1.

My subconscious seems to still be living in pre-2021 though, because it wasn’t until last week that I realized I hadn’t written 2021 once. I was taking notes for class when I

started daydreaming about what day it was; don’t ask me why, but I did.

I started thinking about how crazy it was that it has been almost a year since everything changed and, absentmindedly, I looked down at the date on my paper: 2/12/20. It wasn’t until that very moment, a month and a half into the New Year, that I realized I had been writing 2020 the entire time. Slightly panicked, I flipped through my past notes, papers, and even my daily journal, and the number 21 was nowhere in sight. You’d think I would have at least written it on January 1 in my journal, but no, not even then.

I once saw a meme saying that there was no way people would forget to write 2021 as the date because they were so happy to finally be rid of 2020, but apparently that was not the case for me. I was so caught up in the idea that life would go back to normal on New Year’s Day that, when it didn’t, my subconscious decided to pretend that it was still 2020. A large part of me wanted the pandemic to stay tucked away in that unspeakable year, that it wouldn’t follow

me forward, but it did and here I am. Less than a month away from the one year anniversary of the lockdown, I am finally coming to terms with the fact that the “new” year has really just been more of the same: political unrest, racial injustice, raging pandemic, online school. It hasn’t ended, but at the same time, it was foolish to think that it would; nothing can change unless it is worked toward, not just hoped for. We can do it, though, and of course, we need hope to make change, so stubborn old me is still holding out for summer 2021; maybe that’s when the switch will flip.

Association. Call it the TBA, the Thug Basketball Association, and stop calling them teams. Call ‘em gangs… They’re going in to watch the Crips and the Bloods out there wherever the neighborhood is where the arena happens to be.”

---He once chanted racist gibberish while pretending to “translate” Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2011. (I won’t type that out.)

Rush Limbaugh was a proponent of conspiracy theories: for example that the Clintons had former deputy White House counsel Vince Foster murdered, that Obama was not born in the U.S., that the 2020 election was fraudulent- all of which have been proven false. He dedicated his career to attacking people of color: constantly referring to black people as thugs, making light of slavery, calling BLM a terrorist organization, making a blatantly racist parody song about Barack Obama, etc. He unrelentingly attacked women: slut-sham-

ing them, gratuitous talk of women’s bodies, comparing 12-year-old Chelsea Clinton to a dog, coining the term feminazi, etc. He attacked members of the LGBTQ to such an extent that I could only include one quote that exemplified this because the rest included slurs. This was the man who Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump said that Rush was awarded the medal “In recognition of all that you have done for our nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and that you inspire.” Rush Limbaugh paved the way for Donald Trump and the current conservative party; he used his platform to spread hate, divisiveness, and conspiracy theories.

Rush Limbaugh is dead, but what he stood for is still very much alive.

Hopefully, his supporters can look back on what he has said and take this time to reevaluate the media they consume and the people they align themselves with. Joe Walsh, a conservative journalist for Time magazine and former fan of Rush Limbaugh, said it well, “[Rush Limbaugh] leaves behind a conservative movement shaped by his voice and his politics. He also leaves behind a conservative movement no longer interested in truth. He helped make our nation more divided and polarized than it has been in years.

This is Rush Limbaugh’s legacy.”

Sources available at hcspire.com

Stay safe, Holy Cross!

Visit the Holy Cross COVID-19 Response and Reopening website for the latest information and campus updates. #HCTogether

6

The Spire

OPINIONS

February 26, 2021

Adam Kinzinger: A True Example of Political Courage hate he knew he would face.

To me, Kinzinger is representative of the Republican Party that I once knew. The party of Reagan, Bushes and Ford is one that has to be resurrected.

Not only is it time to bring back this old school Republican Party, but it is also time to expel Trumpism from the GOP for good.

Joe Barbieri ‘23 Opinions Editor Voting to impeach a president is always a tough decision. However, for Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), his decision to impeach President Donald Trump got personal.

Days after voting in favor of impeachment, Kinzinger received a letter from his family who blasted him for his decision. In the letter, he was referred to as “a disappointment.. To us and to God!” while also being criticized for not being “smart enough to see how the left is brainwashing so many [people].”

This letter is sadly another example of how deeply divided we are as a nation. And it is truly a sad day in America when a duly elected representative is condemned for exercising his impartial judgment.

I also find it funny how members of the Kinzinger family claim that it is the “left” who has brainwashed so many people. The hypocrisy could not be more astounding. In the past four years, President Trump has brainwashed many of his supporters into blind obedience.

If Trump says jump, many will say how high.

Aside from the conspiracy theories and political drama, it is truly troubling how President Trump is placed on such a high pedestal by

Photo courtesy of Time.com many of his supporters. A political candidate should never be held to this standard. There is a reason why America is not a monarchy, and that is because presidents come and go, but our great republic will always stand.

By simply doing what he was elected to do, Representative Kinzinger was effectively disowned by

his family. The oath that he and other members of Congress have taken is one to support and defend the Constitution. Not to support and defend President Trump.

As a matter of fact, it is concerning how quick Republicans are to defend President Trump. It seems like after every false statement or crazy conspiracy, there is at least

one party member there to justify the president’s actions. Evidently, I find it next to impossible to defend a twice impeached one-term president who has lost the popular vote twice.

Representative Kinzinger should be respected for his display of political courage and for sticking up for what he believes in despite the

The Loss of a Democracy Grace Manning ‘21 Opinions Editor This past weekend, thousands of people in Myanmar participated en masse in peaceful protests, calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy party. The party won the recent democratic elections, but military armed forces refused to accept the results and staged a coup, forcing Suu Kyi into house arrest, accusing her of crimes against the country and violently upholding new regulations for the public. Reading recent articles and news segments on this crisis, I could not help but see an uncanny resemblance to events of the past few months in the United States. Democracy, which for so long has been an incontestable good and a necessary characteristic of a successful country, is now being threatened.

The similarities between Myanmar’s coup and the Capitol attacks are too many to be ignored. The opposition in both cases not only dispute the election because of socalled fraud, they demand a reelection, despite there being no evidence to support these accusations.

The elected leader is blamed for acting in such a way that provided them with an unfair advantage; in President Joe Biden’s case, using

mail-in ballots and in Suu Kyi’s case, possessing illegally imported walkie-talkies that she was using

the democracy that they fought to instate in their respective countries.

The response to the election and

been used against protestors in Myanmar’s cities. Several people have died. At the capitol, guns,

Protesters call for the release of democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi to communicate. Biden’s party in the United States and Suu Kyi’s party both won comfortably; Biden finishing with some seven million more votes than Trump and Suu Kyi emerging victorious with 258 seats to the House of Representatives to the opposition leader’s 26.

Still, both opposing parties reject

to the coup have startling comparability as well. Myanmar’s public have been taking to the streets to voice their concerns and to argue for the reinstatement of Suu Kyi, however, they are met with violence. Rubber bullets, water cannons and even live ammunition, not to mention brute force have

Photo courtesy of BBC

blunt objects and physical force were all used as well to breach the capitol building and access government property with the intent to harm and destroy. Five people died. It seems that the pandemic has brought more than death from COVID-19, it has also created an atmosphere of fear, doubt and dis-

trust that encircles the world. Democracy that has served countries for years and that has been fought and sacrificed for, is now being shaken to its core and picked apart.

Last year’s American elections and the recent Myanmar elections show that an opposition can decide not to trust the system and that this distrust can destroy it. They serve as examples of how fragile a democracy really is, a vulnerability that should be treated with the utmost respect.

The Spire

FEATURES

February 26, 2021

7

Features

An Interview with ACT Chair Sam Sweet ‘21 Crusader of the Week: Bridget Flaherty ‘21 Features Editor

Ramsés Taveras ‘22

Name: Ramsés Taveras Favorite Book: Another Country by Class Year: 2022 James Baldwin Hometown: New Haven, CT Favorite Kimball meal: Pesto tortelMajor: Economics / International lini Studies Favorite Cool Beans Drink: Vanilla/ Campus AcStrawberry milktivities: Creative shake Writing Club, Favorite spot on Finance Club, campus: Café HCSIF Babel in Stein Favorite Movie: Favorite offThe Godfather campus restauFavorite song: rant: Via Italian “Flamboyant” by Table Big L Guilty Pleasure: Favorite singer/ Listening to old group: Billy records while Ocean drinking a milkFavorite color: shake Olive Green Some small Favorite sports things that team: New York make your day Yankees better: Going for Favorite class late night walks taken at Holy First thing you Cross: CRAW: do when you Fiction wake up: Read/ Item on HC listen to the news Photo courtesy of Ramsés Taveras ‘22 Bucket List: Pet Last thing you Gracie do before going Embarrassing HC Moment: I to bed: Catch up on emails showed up about 30 minutes early Favorite place you have traveled to: to my first ever class and ended up Dominican Republic sitting in the wrong class for the next Something you look forward to 20 minutes. when you go home: Home-made Bragging Rights: I won a medal at a food “social gathering” Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to Words to live by: College is just a work in investment banking bunch of fat naps put together Favorite memory at HC: Seeing One thing you would change at Fools on the Hill for the first time, HC: All the hills and stairs would not specifically their performance of be missed “Dancing in the Moonlight” Favorite TV Show: Peaky Blinders

Clubs on campus have faced unprecedented challenges this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I interviewed Sam Sweet ‘21, the chair of Alternate College Theatre, to see how ACT has adapted to the new normal.

What has been the biggest obstacle to adapting club meetings/ activities to this new semi-remote environment?

By the far the hardest part has been all of the questions. It is very exciting to be back and I am very grateful, but with that has come a ton of uncertainty about what the rules are. I have spent a ton of time with the director of the spring musical talking with OSI and the theatre department, trying to figure out what we can and cannot do with all of the safety and space restrictions.

Have you had any in-person meetings or activities, or have you maintained a remote environment?

We just had our first in person rehearsals last night, which was incredibly exciting after almost a year of zoom rehearsals. … I am incredibly grateful for the faculty and staff who have helped us find ways to rehearse safely. But mostly our rehearsals and meetings have stayed online, which has forced some serious adjustments and introductions to new software so that students could have backing tracks in sync with their singing.

How have you managed to continue to foster a sense of community during this strange semester?

It has definitely been really hard. We had some fun trivia

Photo courtesy of Sam Sweet ‘21; graphic design by Hui Li ‘21

nights over the summer which really helped us to connect. We also have managed to rehearse and put together two shows this year.

I think seeing the final product of our fall show gave us a really great reminder that we are all still working and trying to create!

How has ACT adjusted to producing and performing theater during this time?

Last semester we pulled together a completely virtual production of Allan Miller’s The Fox. This semester we are putting together The Theory of Relativity, a musical by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, which has presented its own set of challenges. Now not only do we need students to be able to talk to each other despite being virtual, but they also have to be able to sing together … [Our editing teams] have stepped up and learned an enormous amount of information in order to be able to put together full length productions. They have truly been amazing!

What projects or activities

have you found most exciting or innovative for the club?

We are working on a musical right now that has been a really satisfying end to my time doing theatre at Holy Cross. In the fall we spent so much time putting out fires, but we learned a lot from that process and although we are still putting out an extraordinary number of fires, we definitely were much more prepared this time. It has definitely been bittersweet, and an incredible amount of work, but it is a great group of students and it has been really fun and inspiring to see them all adjust to all of the new challenges put in front of them!

Are there any future events you want our readers to know about?

Theory of Relativity is scheduled to be released April 15th. It is an awesome little show about how people connect, and feels really important during all of this! It’s a great reminder of how much we matter to each other!

RA Maggie Hannick ‘23 on Being Creative in Unprecedented Times Caroline Wallace ‘23 Features Editor The pandemic has affected the normal roles of all members on campus. The resident assistants now face the difficult task of maintaining both community and health in their respective buildings.

While following COVID guidelines is a necessary measure that Holy Cross students must take, it has admittedly made it more difficult for resident assistants to form the kinds of relationships that they would like to with their halls; however, RA Maggie Hannick took this challenge head-on and discussed with me some of the creative ways in which she has been able to form a community on Brooks 4 while still practicing the college’s COVID guidelines.

Maggie stated that she has loved being a resident assistant for firstyear students, and that she is “so inspired by them for being so resilient during such a tough time, especial-

ly because COVID impacted both their high school and college experiences.” She has been dedicated to ensuring that students in her hall are still able to form relationships with not only her, but also their peers while still practicing COVID guidelines; however, she admitted that this has in turn forced her to be “creative.”

Aside from the small, sociallydistanced in-person meetings that Maggie has organized, her signature way of creating engagement is through her floor-wide vlogs. Maggie created a Snapchat group chat with all of her residents because, as

VID guidelines prevent floor-wide gatherings, M a g g i e’s vlogs have created a sense of both normalcy and friendship for the students on her floor.

Not only has Maggie used this group chat for the students to talk about their day, but Photo courtesy of Maggie Hannick ‘23: graphic design by Hui Li ‘21 she has used it as an opportunity to “show she stated, it “would be a good way to see what is going on through- them around campus,” and she out our day and also see our faces vlogs herself in different academic without masks when we are chilling buildings so that her residents are in our dorms.” Because everyone’s able to become more familiar with schedules look different, and CO- the campus.

Despite the COVID measures in place, Maggie says that she still feels “connected and close” with her residents. She has not viewed the COVID guidelines as something negative but has taken them as an opportunity for both her and her hall to, as she put it: “try our best to work together, take care of one another, and enjoy college despite the pandemic.” In these unprecedented times, Maggie was able to turn to creativity to create a welcoming and fun atmosphere for her first-year students. Her efforts have been a bright light in such a dark time. RA Maggie Hannick proves just how contagious positivity can be.

8

The Spire

FEATURES

February 26, 2021

In-Person Labs: An Interview from Biology Major Maya Millstein ‘23 get them to climb into the tubes to transfer them into a bottle, they refused to get into the tubes so she ended up just reaching into the cage and pulling some out. I was a bit freaked out but none of them escaped!”

While this semester has been an adjustment for all of us, Millstein commented that “I think that campus has been pretty safe. I have not heard of or seen anything super unsafe going on (covid wise).”

This sentiment was echoed by several other students I have had the chance to speak to over these past few weeks on campus.

While classes both online and in-person have looked vastly different this year than they have in years past, students have continued to push forward, working hard and making new memories with classmates and professors.

Grace Bromage ‘23 Chief Features Editor Students and professors have spent this semester experimenting with a variety of different class modes. While many classes are still fully remote, others have become hybridized, containing both online and in-person components, since Holy Cross has entered its yellow alert. STEM majors taking classes that involve labs are just one group of students who have been attending in-person classes since early on this semester, in the form of their weekly laboratories. I interviewed Maya Millstein ‘23, a sophomore biology and psychology double major, who partakes in one of these in-person labs.

Millstein takes Bio 162, a class that has an in-person lab component that meets once a week. While the lab was online during the first week in which students were back on campus, it transitioned to holding in-person meetings the following week and has remained in-person since then. On what procedures they are taking to ensure students’ safety, Millstein commented, “we are required to have at minimum a surgical mask on, but double

Photo by Valentina Moran ‘23 In-person labs have recommenced in the Integrated Science Complex. Pictured above, Spillane Pavilion.

masking is encouraged. We are also spaced out in the lab so that no one is too close to each other (4 per table).” Keeping up with the standard Covid-prevention tips, Millstein mentioned that “we have to sani-

tize our hands and wear gloves for the duration of the lab.” Millstein has enjoyed having an in-person lab and cites that as the reason that she is currently residing on campus this semester.

On interesting moments in her lab, Millstein commented that “it is definitely a little different than a normal class. Last week we had to work with crickets. When the lab professor was attempting to

Pediatric Intensivist and Hospital Medicine Panel Nicole Letendre ’23 Features Editor Pathway to Peds is a program within Alpert Medical School, of Brown University, which strives to promote diversity within the medical field, with a particular focus in pediatrics. On Thursday, February 11th, Pathway to Peds hosted a virtual panel of pediatric physicians, who discussed both the challenges and rewards of working in pediatric medicine. Dr. Cross, M.D. and Dr. Poitevien, M.D. both work in hospitalist pediatrics, and attribute their successful careers to their life-long passion to take care of children, the hospitalist teamapproach, and the ability to grow from mistakes.

As one of seven children, Dr. Cross always had numerous babysitting jobs and ample opportunities to care for others. She began her career as a Registered Nurse (RN), and feels that her experience in the nursing field was a worthwhile foundation for her career as a pediatric physician. In her own words: “I feel that I was a born pediatrician.” As a physician, Dr. Cross believes that life-long learning is critical, and she prioritizes self-care, prayer and keeps faith

central to her life.

In a similar way, Dr. Poitevien felt pulled to her profession as a

pediatrician from an early age. She recalled that, “I announced that I wanted to be a pediatrician when I was seven years of age.” Years later, in medical school, she decided to give each clinical rotation a fair chance. She discovered that she really enjoyed Internal Medicine,

labor and deliveries, and even surgery, but when it came time for pediatric rotations, as expected, she

Graphic design by Hui Li ‘21

felt right at home. Dr. Poitevien revealed, “It felt right, caring for children was something I always wanted to do,” and she felt an affinity for “this shared sense of ‘we are

all here to support a child.”

As a pediatric physician, work days can be long and stressful, re-

viewing admissions, making plans with resident physicians, doing rounds, and constantly re-evaluating strategies. Dr. Cross manages stress in the workplace by focusing her attention on the children, and utilizing the team-approach to care.

Dr. Poitevien recognizes that hu-

mility is a vital component of her profession, or as she puts it, “that ability to constantly ask other individuals what they think.” She balances listening to patients and their families, with her own medical knowledge. All in all, both doctors offered words of wisdom to anyone considering work in the medical field, and spoke to both the daily obstacles and successes of their profession. At the conclusion of the discussion panel, Dr. Cross offered a remarkable view of learning from your mistakes: “It can break you or it can change your practice and make you a better doctor.”

The Spire

FEATURES

February 26, 2021

9

The Coolest Bean on Campus: Aidan Formisano ‘23 Stacey Kaliabakos ‘23 Features Editor One of the major differences in our lives on campus this semester is dining. Our beloved dining hall, Kimball, is open, but with a limit on the amount of people who can come in and eat indoors. Crossroads and the Science Cafe also are open for online orders via GrubHub, but students typically opt to order from these two places if they want a filling meal. The holy grail for students who need a nice coffee before class or a light snack is Cool Beans. I often am so blown away by the hard work of the Cool Beans baristas, who toil endlessly to provide all Crusaders with correct, quick, and tasty orders. I am especially impressed by my own good friend, Aidan Formisano ‘23, who is a barista at Cool Beans and a Hogan Dining Services Captain.

Aidan is a sophomore, an English major and Education minor, and one of the kindest people I know.

Below, I’ve asked him for a little insight on what it’s like to work at Cool Beans.

How would you describe a typical Cool Beans shift?

A typical Cool Beans shift begins at the timeclock next to the Cam-

pus Store, as well as alwhere I swipe lergens. As in. I immedia first-time ately go to the Captain, sink to wash some of my hands and the changes then place seemed oversanitary food whelming at handling first, but the gloves on, staff and oldwhich are to er Captains be replaced have all been after every incredibly order. Durhelpful and ing my shift, are always I will assume there to aid one of three in the adjustassigned poment. sitions designed to What has Photo courtesy of Aiden Formisano ‘23; graphic design by Kate Nedorostek ‘23 maximize been the most workplace challenging The importance of keeping both productivpart of your ity while obeying social distancing the workers and the students safe work? What have you found most guidelines. When handing cus- is paramount in my job and social rewarding? tomers orders, we must first con- distancing is a key part of keeping The most challenging part of firm their ID before any order is our team safe. We wash our hands work, in my opinion, was learning given out. Shifts for Captains last regularly and use food and drink how to faithfully produce a wide vabetween 2 to 3 and a half hours, handling gloves so as to decrease riety of drinks as well as the various allowing for an interchanging of the chances of spreading or catch- customization options that Cool ing infection. COVID has also in- Beans offers. This was overwhelmCaptains throughout the day.

How have COVID restrictions creased our awareness in handling ing at first but, due to the kind nafood allergies, as cross contamina- ture and patience of the staff, I was contributed to your job?

COVID restrictions have con- tion is especially avoided due to able to get my feet under me rather tributed to my job in many ways. the chance of spreading infection quickly. The most rewarding thing

Saturday, Feb. 27 OSI, CAB, PKS, and SGA welcome you to Grab-And-Go Winter join them this Stuffed Animal - 12 - 4 weekend for p.m.

WINTERFEST! Join the Campus Activi-

Registration will open on Friday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. for all events. Registration is required for all events and space is limited.

We look forward to celebrating WINTERFEST with you!

Friday, Feb. 26 Movie Screening: Frozen - 8 p.m.

Kick off WINTERFEST with a screening of Frozen on Friday night in Seelos Theater. Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student.

ties Board by picking up

pus Activities Board.

Open Skate Hours 12:30 - 7 p.m.

Skate on the new Outdoor Ice Rink! Register yourself and up to one

Hot Pretzel Distribution - 1 p.m.

Stop by and pick up your own hot pretzel.

Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student. Sponsored by

about my job has been the people I have met while working. I adore the staff that I have worked with, as they have been the best mentors and guides I could have ever asked for. I also truly enjoy meeting both old and new faces when handing out orders. I think we all missed having regular human connection over the course of the pandemic, and this job has shown me how happy I am to be here with all of you.

What would you recommend people order the next time they visit Cool Beans?

I would recommend people try our pastries and other baked goods. In previous years, we used to be stocked in baked goods by the Kimball kitchens. Now we have a bakery in Hogan that provides us with fresh baked goods made in house. Our Belgian Hot Chocolate is also amazing and has become a personal favorite of mine.

Be sure to stop by Cool Beans soon-but don’t forget to order on GrubHub!

Movie Screening: Frozen - 4 p.m.

Watch this winter favorite in Seelos Theater.

Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student.

Grab-And-Go Insomnia Cookies - 4:30 p.m.

Pickup cookies from the Purple Key Society from Insomnia Cookies. Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student.

your supplies to stuff your own winter animal toy! Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student.

Snowflake Picture Ornaments - 12 - 4 p.m.

Stop by and take a photo for a Snowflake ornament. Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student.

Sponsored by the Cam-

other Holy Cross student. Brought to you by the Student Government Association.

Skate Rink Social Space 1 - 7 p.m.

Enjoy the winter weather! Register yourself and up to three other Holy Cross students.

Dining Services.

Movie Screening: Miracle - 8 p.m.

Watch this winter favorite in Seelos Theater.

Register yourself and up to one other Holy Cross student.

Grab-And-Go Food Trucks - 3 - 6 p.m.

Pickup a snack from one of three food trucks - Sabor Latino, The Winter Bingo - 8:30 p.m.

Dogfather, and Bird’s Join us to win winterNest Italian Street Food. themed prizes. ParticiRegister yourself and up pation can be virtual or to one other Holy Cross in-person. Register yourstudent. self and up to one other Holy Cross student.

10

The Spire

The Eggplant

February 26, 2021

The Eggplant

The Spire’s Satirical Page Urchin Father Building Snowmen on the Hill M.Micallef ’22 Origami Champion [Tim swims & snorkels in the shallow waters of Newport Beach. His wife, Maybel, lays tanning.]

Maybel: Tim, honey, let’s eat!

[Tim remains underwater.]

M: Timbelthon Jones, I’m starving. Get out!

[Tim shoots up out of the water screaming and splashing.]

Tim: My foot! My foot! An urchin got me.

M: Oh my God! Run away!

[Tim stops thrashing, & heads toward Maybel.]

T: It burns like crazy.

M: Let me see it.

[Tim holds up his left foot.]

M: Has it always been this mangled? Good Lord, Tim. How have I never noticed this?

There is so much hair. Do you even need socks?

[Maybel pokes Tim’s foot.]

T: Ouch! Don’t poke it! This isn’t funny. What am I supposed to do?

M: I think I know. This happened to me once. I was a kid, and a sea urchin stung my foot when I went boogie-boarding for the first time.

T: What did you do?

M: Well…

T: What? Tell me, Maybel.

What did you do?

M: OK, fine, but you can never bring this up to anybody. Not even Michael when he gets home from summer camp.

T: I promise. I won’t tell anyone.

M: If you do, I’ll tell Michael about your Uncle giving you the pony for your bar mitzvah.

T: Maybel! I won’t tell anyone.

What happened?

M: Alright, well, it’s a fact that urine is sterile. So, my dad, having been a beach bum his whole life, knew of such a fact.

T: Your dad peed on your foot!

M: Shh. Yes, he did. But it worked. I would stop the grin because in order to stop the sting you’re gonna need some urine.

T: Fine. Well, let’s go to the women’s room.

M: What? No. I can’t be the one to do it.

T: Why not? I’m dying here, this thing is killing me. It’s not like you haven’t peed in front of me before. I’m your husband for God Sake.

M: I’m sorry, I can’t.

T: I can’t believe this! I have to do everything! I’ll do it myself then.

M: No. Not only would that be a horrible image, of which would absolutely & permanently change the way I see you, it’d be futile. I don’t make the rules but it must be a father to urinate on you.

T: Are you kidding me? Why?

Michael Vail ‘24 In front of me stood, at a miamount of snow. If she could be bigWhy would it matter?

Reporter Prodigy In-Training raculous two feet, four inches (yes, ger, she would be, but I could only M: I told you. I don’t make I brought measuring tape with me, work with what I had!” he scolded, the rules. I guess it must be Th is morning, I had the privilege because a qualifi ed reporter always stomping his foot into the two feet some pirate curse, or maybe of speaking with freshman Steven comes prepared), a snow… thing.

I of fallen snow. some type of gypsy spell. I’m Davidson, Class of 2024 (he’s a fi rstthink.

Snowman.

Snowwoman?

It Now, it embarrasses me to admit telling you, it works. year here at Holy Cross), about his had pebbles which acted as lifeless this, and I hope none of you think T: You know as well as I, my latest activities in the fi rst month he eyes and what seemed to be poorlyless of me, but I was speechless. He dad’s been dead for 8 years. spent on campus.

Upon my arrival, spread ketchup over the top as hair. had made an excellent point. And What do I do? he euphorically against my best wishes, M: I didn’t say your father. trudged through I could not come up I said a father, or I’d bet a the snow to greet with a retort. father figure would do the me.

“So, ah, I guess you trick.

“What’s up, will be heading out T: Who, then? man?” he exsoon, now that you’ve [Maybel points out a jogger.] claimed, allowing fi nished building…

M: Excuse me! Can you come me no time to Patricia,” I guessed. over here a minute? introduce myself, He sighed, glanced [The man jogs over to them “I just made the at Patricia, and spoke & runs in place.] coolest thing ever! softly: “I suppose this T: I know this may sound Check it out!” is goodbye for the time strange: my foot is stinging I still don’t being, my love.

But I and I need you to pee on it. know if it was the swear to you, I will get Jogger: No way man. I don’t another snow kit tomorbelieve in that stuff. Besides, childish excitement in his voice A grotesque drawing I made of the snowman using my laptop trackpad, row, and build you up don’t you need a father figure which is somehow not as grotesque as the real thing. that intrigued me so. stronger and more beaufor the trick to work?

“Graphic design” by Michael Vail ‘24 Perhaps it was simply tiful than before!”—he T: You’re the best I’ve got my yearning for a snapped his head in my right now. story, as I am a newly-recruited reTh e creature also donned a $140 belt direction— “And you, sir, will most M: Why don’t you just give porter, and surely I will not take my from the bookstore, which I had seen kindly give your blessing to her good some life advice and say promotion lightly.

I guarantee that. before, but never believed anyone health, until the next time we meet!” you’re proud of him.

Anyway, I followed Steven to his would actually purchase.

All in all, I Again, I was startled.

“Surely I Jogger: I’m sorry. I don’t creation.

“So what is it you wanted wasn’t entirely sure what I was lookwill.

It was a pleasure interviewing have time for this. I’m on my ing at. “Excuse me, Stewie, but could you, Sullivan.” He grimaced and lunch break. I don’t even pee to show me, Mr. Davidson? Sorry, Steven?

May I call you ‘Steven’?” you explain what this is?” walked away. All things considered, I anyways.

“Oh, absolutely, Steven is fi ne!

Th e poor thing looked off ended. deemed the ordeal a success.

[The jogger turns away and My name doesn’t matter right now.

“It’s ‘Steven’.

And she is none other That evening, as I made my daily continues down the beach.]

What does matter is—dun da da than Patricia, the snow queen I built excursion to Cool Beans, I witnessed T: Damn it! duuuun! (he made a foolishly theatin only a few short hours!” someone urinating out of a fourthM: It’s OK. Don’t worry. This rical gesture here that I won’t bother “Hours?”

I gasped.

“But it’s so fl oor Brooks window, directly onto is California, there’s got to be describing, because I wish I didn’t small.

What could have possibly the snowman. somebody willing. Oh, what have to witness such a scene, and as a happened to take you this long?” about him?

Yet another offended glare from [Maybel points at an old man reporter, I feel inclined to spare you the second-hand embarrassment of Simon.

“The snowman kit I got from who walks slowly and sways a knowing)—Patricia the Snowman!”

Hogan only contained a very small metal detector over the sand.]

M: Excuse me! Can you come over here a minute?

T: He can’t hear you with those headphones on.

Hannah Johnson ‘21 M: Let’s go to him then.

Hopeful?

[Maybel grabs Tim’s hand & they run toward the man. Tim January 31st, 2021, 8 p.m. ET winces but hobbles along.]

[They reach the old man. May“Dear Class of 2021, bel taps him on the shoulder, and indicates to take the headWe are glad to be here with you phones off.] tonight, to reflect on your four M: Sir, can you please help us? years at Holy Cross and to look My husband’s foot is stinging. forward to your futures. In these [The old man takes off his trying times, we come together as a headphones and looks Tim up community to support each other, and down.] as this is a part of our Jesuit misOld Man: You need me to pee sion. And, in such times, we call on ya sunny boy? upon you, Seniors, to be role modT: Yes, please. My foot is killing My parents also went through bad els for the greater student body; to Graphic design by Hui Li ‘21 me. show us how we ought to act if we times. Following the Jesuit tradition, pened before now.

Old Man: I bet it is. Alright, want to ever see Yellow. Green is a we are very well prepared to think In the middle of a global panstick out your foot. Miss look far dream, probably something you deeply and reflect on many disas- demic, it is important to go on. You away. all will never see… but, perhaps ters, diseases, and tragedies, not just must press on, in any way that you [The old man pees on Tim’s with your guidance, you can enjoy in our time, but also in times before can manage. You have your studies foot.] a Code Yellow status for your final us. This is a productive thing to do, ahead of you--and some of you will T: OK. OK. I think you got it. semester at Holy Cross. (For most because then, we will see how our be attempting to enter the workforce It’s only my left foot that stings. current events are very bad, just like of it.) soon. Whatever you do, do not sucM: Thank you sir. I was beginLet me reiterate that these are they were before your time. I’m talk- cumb to crippling sadness and dejecning to think I was the only one terrible, awful times, and that all of ing about political unrest, systemic tion. Times are very hard and a lot who knew about the old trick. you are very sad and distressed. In racism, disease, climate change… of people are struggling right now. I Old Man: What old trick? the past, they also had bad times. there is just a lot going on. And would encourage you to maybe not War, disease… terrible tragedies. some of these things have also hap- do that.

Class of 2021 Convocation in a Nutshell

The Spire

SPORTS

Sports Mike O’Brien ‘23 Chief Sports Editor In this season’s installment of outdoor games, NHL fans were treated to matchups between the Colorado Avalanche vs. the Vegas Golden Knights and the Boston Bruins vs. the Philadelphia Flyers on beautiful Lake Tahoe.

The Avs and Knights were the first teams to christen the rink on Saturday, February 20th. After the NHL’s realignment of divisions due to the pandemic to decrease travel, the Avalanche, initially in the Central Division, were recently thrust into the West Division, sharing it with Vegas. So although these teams may not have a history of bad blood, especially with Vegas being the newest franchise in the league, perhaps the NHL wanted to schedule a newfound divisional rivalry on the slate to catch the attention of fans out west.

The Avalanche got out to a hot start, after captain Nathan McKinnon slid a neat pass across for a shot by Samuel Girard that beat Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to put Colorado up 1-0 just under three minutes into the game. While McKinnon’s start to the season may be slower than expected, he still sits in the top 25 for points scored on the season, coming in at 22nd with a respectable 18 points.

The Avs continued their strong first period by leading the shots on goal tally by a 7-2 mark with about eight minutes to go. However, Colorado couldn’t extend their lead even with an extended five minute power play that even turned into a 5 on 3 chance after Vegas committed another penalty, but Knights goalie Marc Andre-Fleury denied some superb chances to keep Vegas in it.

John Burke ‘23 Staff Writer While appearing on 98.5 The Sports Hub last Thursday, Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge finally said what Celtics fans have been thinking for months.

Ainge frankly stated that “Our roster is obviously not good... there’s no if ’s, and’s, or but’s about it.”

Ainge also remarked upon the fact that many of the Celtics’ faithful want to assign blame for a team that has struggled to remain .500, and he was willing to offer himself as the scapegoat for the Celtics’ performance.

Danny Ainge has been long considered one of the premier executives in the NBA. Known as the type of general manager who likes to swing for the fences, Ainge is no stranger to either scrutiny or success. Ainge has been long adored by the fans of Boston, who have always trusted him and his “master plans.”

Ainge’s most recent plan began on June 28, 2013, the night that he traded a package based around future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a myriad of players and unprotected draft

However, misfortune struck both teams after the first period.

With the combination of the bright Lake Tahoe sun beating down on the ice and other unsuitable rink conditions, the game needed to be postponed by several hours. What originally turned into a Saturday afternoon game eventually turned into a midnight matchup.

After resuming the game and killing off the rest of the Avalanche’s power play to start the 2nd period, the Knights were looking for an equalizer, and that’s what they got from defenseman Alec Martinez, who tucked in a loose puck in front of the net to tie the game at 1-1, scoring his first goal of the season in the process. Although Vegas was being outshot by a staggering 23-8 margin, this was irrelevant as the game was now even.

About four minutes after the Vegas goal, both teams committed penalties leaving the ice more open with a 4 on 4 window of play. As mentioned earlier, although McKinnon may not be off to the hottest start to his season, he’s still lethal at any moment with his combination of speed and skill. Taking the puck from his own blue line, he flew by the Knights’ defense and framed a perfect shot past Fleury to put the Avs back up 2-1.

After the second period waned away, the third started and it took a while for a big moment to come, but when it did, Colorado was yet again rewarded for their high tally of shots on goal. Leading Vegas 3425 in the department, defenseman Devon Toews rifled a shot from the point past Fleury to make the game 3-1 Colorado with just under seven minutes left in the game.

Vegas would now need quite the large comeback to tie or win

February 26, 2021

11

Avalanche, Bruins Victorious at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Games the game with time not on their side. But, just over one minute after Colorado’s third goal, Knight’s forward Alex Tuch got the puck in the corner, put on a spin-o-rama move to get past Vegas’ defense, and backhanded the puck into the back of the net to cut the lead down to 3-2. If Vegas were to come back, this was exactly the play they needed to steal back the momentum from Colorado and still have time to equalize the game.

After pulling their goalie to get an extra skater on the attack, Vegas put a last gasp shot on goal with five seconds left in the game which was saved by Colorado goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer and then cleared by the Avalanche to seal the win.

With an assist on the first goal of the game and a dazzling goal himself to take back the lead, Nathan McKinnon played extremely well all night, and he’s my player of the game.

Up next on the Tahoe ice was a matchup with a much more storied past; the Boston Bruins up against the Philadelphia Flyers. Similarly to the Avs and Knights, Philadelphia and Boston are both in the East Division this season after playing in the Metropolitan and Atlantic respectively. These two teams have played a whopping 237 times, including 32 postseason matchups.

Going into the game, Boston was arguably the hottest team in the league, only dropping three regular season games, all while doing so without star scorer David Pastrnak to start their season.

Although the Avalanche got out to a fast start vs. the Knights, the Bruins were even faster; just 30 seconds into the game, after blocking a shot, Bruins captain Patrice

Bergeron guided a pass to winger Brad Marchand who took the puck along the boards creating a 2 on 1 rush, and slid the puck across to Pastrnak for an easy finish to put the Bruins up 1-0. Not a bad beginning to the game for Boston.

However, Philly didn’t let the early deficit rattle them, as Joel Farabee got the puck right in front of the net after a fortunate bounce off the boards and tucked it by Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask to tie the game at 1-1. Moreover, Philly snagged the lead to go up 2-1 after forward Sean Couturier cleaned up a rebound in front of the net with five minutes to go in the first period. However, this would be their last lead of the night in what ended up being a long night for the Flyers.

Just 40 seconds after Philly went up 2-1, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy blasted a shot from the point which found the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2 after his stick had broken on the previous possession to close out a high scoring first period.

Boston picked up right where they left off to begin the second period, and after circling around the faceoff dot, forward Nick Ritchie found an open David Pastrnak who wristed a shot bar down into the net to put the Bruins back up 3-2 while adding his second goal of the night. The game was played closely up to this point, but Boston went on a scoring tirade to end the second period. With 3:54 left in the period, Charlie Coyle powered a shot off the post and off the back of Carter Hart which trickled past the goal line to put Boston up 4-2.

41 seconds later, 23 year old Trent Frederic scored his first NHL goal on a beautiful glove-side wrist shot

to now put Boston up 5-2. Adding insult to injury, Philly committed a penalty moments later to put Boston on the power play, and Nick Ritchie scored after providing an earlier assist to give the Bruins a 6-2 lead. After playing the Flyers close, the Bruins scored three goals in 99 seconds to make the game a blowout before the third period began.

To their credit, Philly wasn’t ready to kneel over without scoring one more goal. On the power play, forward James van Riemsdyk redirected a shot from Kevin Hayes which took an unfortunate bounce off Bruins’ defenseman Urho Vaakanainen’s skate past Rask to trim the lead to 6-3 with a little under seven minutes to go in the period. But, Boston probably wasn’t satisfied with just winning by three. With just three minutes left in the game, Philly’s sloppy play continued when they turned it over in their own zone right to 22 year old forward Jack Studnicka who found David Pastrnak, scoring a nifty one-timer off the pass to put Boston up 7-3 with authority while scoring a hat trick in the process.

Boston’s entire offense was firing on all cylinders, but David “Pasta” Pastrnak is my player of the game for both his impressive hat trick and his pre-game style.

After a 48-34 campaign the next season that resulted in another first round playoff loss, all eyes were on the off season.

The first of the prized Brooklyn picks was going to be the 3rd overall in the upcoming draft, and it was one of the strongest free agent classes in recent memory.

In the draft, Ainge opted to take Jaylen Brown, an athletic wing from the University of CalPhoto courtesy of John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images ifornia. This was a controwhat the Boston fans needed to re- versial selection at the time, as betinvigorate their love for the proud ter known prospects like Oklahofranchise. The Celtics were able to ma’s Buddy Hield and Kentucky’s sneak into the playoffs that sea- Jamal Murray were still available. son, and though a first round loss However, Brown has since silenced to Lebron James and the Cavaliers the doubters, as he has proved to be was inevitable, Ainge and Stevens a talented scorer and defender who had seemingly made the Celtics a is going to be rewarded with his competitive team in one short year. first All Star award this current sea-

son. During free agency, the Celtics were able to make a major splash with the signing of Atlanta big man Al Horford. More telling than the Horford signing was the progress that Boston made with the crown jewel of that summer, Kevin Durant. Though he ultimately signed with Golden State, the legitimate interest he showed the Celtics validated this up and coming team.

The 2016-17 was a resounding success for the Celtics. Isaiah Thomas finished 5th in the MVP vote and was dubbed the “King in the Fourth” for his electrifying late game performances. Al Horford seemed to be exactly what the Celtics needed as a rock solid presence in the paint, and roll players like Smart and Jae Crowder were surpassing expectations. The Celtics ultimately made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and had seemingly arrived as dark horse contenders.

Then Danny Ainge struck again.

Is Danny Ainge’s Master Plan a Failure?

picks. Danny Ainge had just closed the door on a prosperous, championship era of Celtics basketball, and the fans of Boston were going to have to endure a rebuild.

The man chosen to lead this rebuild was Brad Stevens, the coach who had taken NCAA midmajor Butler to multiple Final Fours while building his reputation as one of the best coaches in the collegiate ranks.

Stevens’ first season resulted in a pitiful 25-57, but this was to be expected for a rebuilding team. Ainge took the 6th overall pick that the Celtics received following the 2013-14 NBA season and drafted Marcus Smart, a player that has since proven his place as an essential player for Boston. The next season Ainge acquired his first major piece in building a contender

when he traded for point guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas proved to be an offensive spark plug and exactly

CONTINUED ON PG. 12

The Spire

12

Jimmy Casey ‘22 Sports Editor

SPORTS

February 26, 2021

HC Athlete Spotlight - Gabe Piepergerdes ‘21, Men’s Track and Field

In this week’s edition of the Spire’s Athlete Spotlight, I talked with Gabe Piepergerdes, a senior on the men’s Track & Field team. Throughout his three years on the Hill, Piepergerdes has been an elite member of the squad, improving year after year.

He holds two school records in the 400-meter hurdles (outdoor) and the 4x400m relay (indoor), and as a sophomore he became the first individual champion from Holy Cross at IC4As in nearly 50 years.

Unfortunately, after an impressive indoor season to start off his junior year, the outdoor portion of the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. Because of this, Gabe is definitely excited to get back out there. He’s poised to have yet another great season for the Crusaders.

Below is my conversation with Gabe, where I asked him about life during COVID-19, his success at Holy Cross, his expectations for the season, and more.

Q: I’m sure quarantine was especially weird for you as an athlete. What’d you do in order to stay prepared for the season?

Yeah, testing positive for COVID was tough, especially since it was our first week back on campus as a team. I hadn’t seen most of my teammates and coaches since March of last year, so to get back to Holy Cross and then be put in isolation for 10 days was difficult while everyone else began training as a group again.

As an athlete, it was definitely difficult because I couldn’t practice, train, lift weights or any of that. I was restricted to my room off-campus, with just a couple “AINGE” CONT. FROM PG.11 The 2017 offseason is one Celtics fans will never forget.

Ainge traded away the 1st overall draft pick, awarded through the Brooklyn trade, in order to move back and secure additional assets. The Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum out of Duke at 3rd overall.

Ainge then shocked the world in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston sent Isaiah Thomas, the last of the Brooklyn picks, and several role players to Cleveland for superstar point guard Kyrie Irving. He then

of dumbbells. I kind of accepted the board and then having all of training styles and technique I that for 10 days I wasn’t going my teammates and friends con- don’t specifically follow any parto be able to practice my block gratulating me. I also think it ticular athletes. I think I have my starts, do speed endurance work- was super special because it was own sense of running style and outs, or anything to advance my at home, up at the Hart Center. uniform style. training. So, I guess in The one order to stay thing I do prepared for is watch the season, plenty of I aimed my race film quarantine and chamat eating pionship healthy and videos of staying menthe great tally healthy 400-meter as well. I hurdles, figured if I like Rai couldn’t adBe n j a vance my min and Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics training, that Karsten In this issue, Jimmy Casey ‘22 interviews Gabe Piepergerdes ‘21 focusing on mental Warholm. health and diet would It is super be a productive use of my time. helpful to watch how they apWhen I won the IC4A Champi- proach their races and to pick up Q: You’ve had a lot of success in onship in the 400-meter hurdles, on the little things they do that your career here at Holy Cross, it was a much different feeling. make them so great. These guys including holding two school We were at Princeton and only a are Olympians, and everyone can records and becoming the first couple of my teammates were on learn a thing or two from them. individual from Holy Cross the trip with me. It was absoluteto win at IC4As in almost 50 ly down pouring the entire day Q: What’s your favorite part years. What was it like when and I actually threw up before about being on the track & you realized you had just made getting in the starting blocks, but field team? history? when I bolted across the finish line in first, it was not as exciting My favorite part of being on the Breaking the school record in as I thought. Nobody was out- track & field team in the comthe 400-meter hurdles and win- side spectating the meet because radery. We have a very tight knit ning an IC4A championship are of the rain, so there weren’t any group of guys; everyone knows my two most memorable track fans, any crowd responses; just each other and gets along very and field accomplishments in my me taking home a gold medal all well with one another. From time here at Holy Cross. alone in the rain. It was almost team dinners in Kimball, to When I broke the school re- like it didn’t happen. I don’t have bowling outings, to seeing each cord in the 400-meter hurdles, any race videos of photos from other every day at practice, and I was exhilarated. It was some- that day either, so I try to remem- leaving everything we have out thing that I had been plotting to ber that day often. on the track on meet days, the achieve and go down in the reteam always acts as one unit. We cord books for. You can ask my Q: Do you model your style all have one common goal to sucteammates; it was something that after any professional runners? ceed on the track and my teamI talked about very often and al- If so, what made you choose mates always pick each other up ways had my sights on. When I them? and hold everyone to the highcrossed the finish line that day, est standard. These guys are my finishing 4th at Patriot League I wouldn’t say that I model my brothers and I wouldn’t trade Championships, it was unbeliev- style after any professional run- them for the world. able to see the time pop up on ners. As far as clothing, gear, signed coveted free agent Gordon Hayward to a maximum contract.

A team that had made it within four games of the NBA Finals the season before seemingly had gotten much better.

For the next two seasons, this Celtics roster should’ve been the crescendo of Ainge’s great plan set in motion 5 years before. The starting five of Irving, Hayward, Horford, Brown, and Tatum was supposed to be one of the most talented and exciting in the league. Marcus Smart had made the jump to a tenacious defender

and rebounder. The Celtics were supposed to be the team to dethrone the Golden State Warriors.

They were not.

Gordon Hayward blew out his ankle in his very first game as a Celtic, and has never been the same since. His $160 million contract is now considered one of the worst in NBA history.

Kyrie Irving left the team after two seasons in order to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. He was injured several times and was considered a locker room problem who was not willing to work with

his teammates.

Al Horford was considered a let down for the amount of money he was paid, and has since left the team for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Boston Celtics currently have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, two elite, young wings that are among the best tandems in the league. Brown and Tatum are championship caliber players, and Ainge has failed to build a championship caliber team around them. He has failed to address glaring weaknesses that

Q: What’re some of your personal and team goals coming into your final year?

For my last and final outdoor track season here at Holy Cross, my personal goal is to reset my own school record in the 400-meter hurdles. Right now, my record is 52.61 seconds, but I’m hoping to run sub-52 this season. I think I have the tools and training to do so, so that’s what I have my sights on for the spring.

As for our team goals, I am hoping we can put together a really nice 4x400 relay team for Patriot League Championships. Last winter, during indoor season, Cam Lloyd, Sean Flaherty, Freddie O’Halloran, and I finished 4th in the 4x4 relay, which was our best finish in years. We will be revising our relay team this spring, hoping to drop a fast time at Patriots, where we can hopefully land on the podium (top 3).

Another thing I think we have been doing is developing our first-year teammates. The freshmen this year have come in with a lot of potential, but there are many technical aspects and strength aspects of their training that need to be improved.

At practice we find ways to help improve little things they are doing wrong and in the weight room as well, helping to build up their overall strength. Our freshmen have a lot of potential and it should be our priority to help them develop to be the best athletes they can be.

I’d like to thank Gabe for allowing me the chance to interview. him and giving some awesome answers. Good luck to him and the entire track & field program, we will be rooting for you! plague the Celtics, including a rim protecting big man and point guard depth.

Though it resulted in quality pieces, Danny Ainge’s master plan has failed the Boston Celtics. If Ainge fails to make a major move at the upcoming trade deadline, the Celtics are going to continue to be a team that can not get over the hump.

The people of Boston want someone to blame, and that someone is Danny Ainge.

Got some hot sports takes, or want to cover Holy Cross athletics events?

Email spire@g.holycross.edu for more details on joining the staff - all experience levels welcome!